Fresh Track: Leland Sundries “If You’re Gonna Drive, I’m Gonna Drink”

There is a sort of “this music isn’t traditional to this area, but damn some good stuff is coming from it” vibe to the Northeast. Bluegrass, roots and country aromas wafting their way out of Boston, Brooklyn and beyond and 4 piece Brooklyn based Leland Sundries is another link in that chain strengthening the music out of the region.

Frontman Nick Loss-Eaton tells us, ” “If You’re Gonna Drive, I’m Gonna Drink” is a honky tonk number in the traditional of the Texas songwriters with a surprise ending. It’s 1/3 true (I used to drink a lot), 1/3 overheard, and 1/3 made up. The B-side is “Lone Prairie,” a punk version of a traditional cowboy song that I first heard from the Down Hill Strugglers, a Brooklyn string band, at the Brooklyn Folk Fest. We asked ourselves what the Replacements would do with it and tried to do that.”

With a straightforward, no frills vocal and a collective drunken chorus type of hook, it certainly has that plaintive traditional country mixed with some barroom brawling and a bit of a punk attitude. But its that last minute launch towards 2/3 into the song that really gives you the bands punch. The two step exploding into roaring guitar lines and a mosh pit of good times and gusto.

Check it out today.